In late May, 1845, the administration believed that Texas would soon formally agree to the terms of the joint resolution on annexation passed by the U.S. Congress in March. Accordingly, the War Department directed General Zachary Taylor, then stationed at Fort Jesup, Louisiana, to take steps to prepare for the defense of the new state. Once Texas acceded to the terms of annexation, it would then be regarded as U.S. territory, and Taylor should be prepared to move his troops into Texas and, in consultation with local authorities, be ready to deal with both the threat of Indian depredations and the prospect of invasion by a "foreign enemy."
ORDERS AND INSTRUCTIONS TO GENERAL TAYLOR, FROM MAY 28, 1845 TO MARCH 2, 1846.
[Confidential.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, .May 28, 1845.
Sir: I am directed by the President to cause the forces now under your command, and those which may be assigned to it to be put into a position where they may most promptly and efficiently act in defence of Texas, in the event it shall become necessary or proper to employ them for that purpose. The information received by the Executive of the United States warrants the belief that Texas will shortly accede to the terms of annexation. As soon as the Texan congress shall have given its consent to annexation, and a convention shall assemble and accept the terms offered in the resolutions of congress, Texas will then be regarded by the executive government here so far a part of the United States as to be entitled from this government to defence and protection from foreign invasion and Indian incursions. The troops under your command will be placed and kept in readiness to perform this duty.
In the letter addressed to you from the adjutant general's office, of the 21st of March, you were instructed to hold a portion of the troops under your immediate command in readiness to move into Texas under certain contingencies, and upon further orders from this department. In the treaty between the United States and Mexico, the two governments mutually stipulated to use all the means in their power to maintain peace and harmony among the Indian nations inhabiting the lands on their borders; and to restrain by force any hostilities and incursions by these nations within their respective boundaries, so that the one would not suffer the Indians within its limits to attack, in any manner whatever, the citizens of the other, or the Indians residing upon the territories of the other. (See the 33d article, a copy of which is herewith transmitted.) The obligations which in this respect are due to Mexico by this treaty, are due also to Texas. Should the Indians residing within the limits of the United States, either by themselves, or associated with others, attempt any hostile movement in regard to Texas, it will be your duty to employ the troops under your command to repel and chastise them ; and for this purpose you will give the necessary instructions to the military posts on the upper Red river, (although not under your immediate command,) and, with the approbation of the Texan authorities, make such movements, and take such position, within the limits of Texas, as in your judgment may be necessary. You are also directed to open immediate correspondence with the authorities of Texas, and with any diplomatic agent of the United States, (if one should be residing therein,) with a view to information and advice in respect to the common Indian enemy, as well as to any foreign power. This communication and consultation with the Texan authorities, &c., are directed with a view to enable you to avail yourself of the superior local knowledge they may possess, but not for the purpose of placing you, or any portion of the forces of the United States, under the orders of any functionary not in the regular line of command above you.
Should the territories of Texas be invaded by a foreign power, and you shall receive certain intelligence through her functionaries of that fact, after her convention shall have acceded to the terms of annexation contained in the resolutions of the Congress of the United States, you will at once employ, in the most effective manner your judgment may dictate, the forces under your command, for the defence of these territories, and to expel the invaders.
It is supposed here that, for the mere purpose of repelling a common Indian enemy, as above provided for, it may not be necessary that you should march across the Sabine or upper Red river (at least in the first instance) with more than the particular troops which you were desired in the instructions before referred to, of the 21st March, to hold in immediate readiness for the field, but it is not intended to restrict you positively to that particular amount of force. On the contrary, according to the emergency, you may add any other corps, or any number of companies within your department, deemed necessary, beginning with those nearest at hand; and in the contingency of a foreign invasion of Texas, as above specified, other regiments from a distance may be ordered to report to you.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. L. MARCY, Secretary of War.
General Z. TAYLOR,
Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
